The Correspondence of Thomas Jefferson

By Subject

REPUBLICANISM / THREATENED BY WAR

On politics I must write sparingly, lest it should fall into the hands of persons who do not love either you or me. . . . If we are forced into war, we must give up political differences of opinion, and unite as one man to defend our country. But whether at the close of such a war, we should be as free as we are now, God knows. In fine, if war takes place, republicanism has everything to fear; if peace, be assured that your forebodings and my alarms will prove vain; and that the spirit of our citizens now rising. as rapidly as it was then running crazy, and rising with a strength and majesty which show the loveliness of freedom, will make this government in practice, what it is in principle, a model for the protection of man in a state of freedom and order. May heaven have in store for your country a restoration of these blessings, and you be destined as the instrument it will use for that purpose. But if this be forbidden by Fate, I hope. we shall be able to preserve here an asylum where your love of liberty and disinterested patriotism will be forever protected and honored.

to Thaddeus Kosciusko, 21 February 1799